Tether Android Phone - Share Data from Phone to Tablet Free (No Root)

If you own a smartphone, you have probably become accustomed to having a wireless internet connection where ever you go. On the other hand, unless you picked up a MiFi (personal hotspot) or have a 3G plan for your tablet, that same internet connection for your tablet or computer is restricted to your house, or in some cases, your neighbors house. But what if all you had to do was push a button on your phone and you could share your smartphone's data with with your tablet(s)? Well, you can.

With newer versions of Android and iOS, smartphones started to become WiFi hotspot's and tethering devices. This “How To” could end right here if I told you that Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and other wireless providers have plans for sharing your data with your other devices. Generally, they cost $20-$30/month and you get around 2-4GB. But since Android is so open, you can do the exact same thing for free. Finally, we cannot really consider the following apps “illegal” because they are still in the Android Market. Generally, if the app was illegal, it would have been removed already.

PdaNet Tablet (beta)

For starters, you have to download PdaNet Tablet on your Android 2.0+ device AND your Android 2.0+ tablet. Make sure that you download this apps on both the data enabled device, and the tablet you wish to share data with. The app is only just over 200 KB and the user reviews sound very good. The only drawback to this solution, is that “On Honeycomb devices only the Browser, Gmail and Map app will pick up the proxy connection”. So in other words, your tablet will most likely not be able to access the Facebook app through this data connection. However, considering that this is a “root free” solution, having access to the Browser, Gmail, and Maps is not bad.

Now that you have the app installed on both of your devices, open the application on both devices to get started. Once PdaNet has loaded up, click the “Run As Server (Phone)” button on your data enabled smartphone. In addition, click the “Run As Client (Tablet)” button on your tablet. PdaNet does a nice job of keeping the instructions nice and simple. So now, the last thing you have to do is click the “Set Network Proxy”button on your tablet. Once your tablet discovers your phone via Bluetooth, simply tap on your phone to finish the connection. Please “Make sure you clear proxy settings when you are done with using PdaNet so that network connections will be back to normal. Do not uninstall PdaNet without doing this!”

PdaNet claims that the regular PdaNet app is capable of sharing data speeds up to 100 MB/s. However, the tablet application is a different connection entirely. So don't worry if you do not see 4G speeds on your tablet.

If your looking for a data sharing solution with less limits, look no further than rooting your phone. After you do that, you can download Barnacle WiFi Tether or Open Garden Wifi Tethering.

If you want to share data to your computer without rooting your phone, you can download PdaNet 3.02 free from the Android Market.

New Sony Google TV device gets Wi-Fi certification

by Bogdan Bele, 4 weeks ago

Another Sony Google TV device is apparently on its way, as shown by a certificate posted on the Wi-Fi Alliance website. The new Sony Google TV is the successor of the Sony NSZ-G7 (pictured above),…

Comments

Wes

I’ve been so disappointed with my Nexus 10. I have a Note 10.1 on the way and I’m going to use them side by side and see if the lower resolution doesn’t bother me. I gave up my first 10.1 to get the Nexus, but I assumed Google would be on top of the problems, but they don’t seem to care. My 10 randomly reboots about twice a day, and always during the worst time.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=604885391 Richard Borkovec

My Nexus 7 definitely has this problem, but it maybe happens once a week. It’s frustrating as hell though when it does. I know my router is an older one, but everything else connects just fine without dropping signal.
CHRIS

Ok how many issues have already surfaced since the Nexus 4 came out??? Yet it is still the “best” phone or highly acclaimed why???? NOTE 2 ALL THE WAY!!!
- http://twitter.com/matter37 Matthew
  
  Have fun with your ugly touchwiz
  - Peter Beyer
    
    Ahh, the ignorance. My Note II is running CM10.1, and it simply couldn’t get better.
    - http://twitter.com/matter37 Matthew
      
      Awesome for you, but most people do not run custom Roms, I doubt the guy above does, I would like to know where you managed to gather the facts that made my comment seem ” ignorant” it was a simple comment, not delving into the depths of android. Also, a note 2 without touch wiz is boo longer a note 2: it loses far too many features to still be considered one
    - Tomi Golob
      
      Yeah,because it is his fault he didn’t read your mind … The majority don’t flash custom ROMs so stfu
glovesave

If I’m near the microwave oven and turn that on my WiFi drops and doesn’t start up again it seems. Its a nexus 4 BTW and I love it. Toggling WiFi off on fixes it (when the microwave is off again)
- http://twitter.com/matter37 Matthew
  
  That is because the microwaves interfere with the mix of radio waves your phone sends and receives, not a software issue, simply the science of waves.
- PleasantDrive
  
  You might consider not being so near the microwave.
http://twitter.com/maungmoe Maung Moe

My first nexus 7 had the same problem. One morning I woke up and I could not get my tablet to connect to my Wi-Fi. After talking to tech support, many reboots and toggling airplane mode on and off several times it was able to connect to my Wi-Fi. But Google tech support replaced it and I been using it problem free since.
Marco Mendoza

I have no problems
Nizo

Haven’t had any Wi-Fi issues on my Gnex since updating to 4.2.
Fedemyth

I Have Nexus 7 with 4.2.1, No issues.
Paulo

Yes I have this stupid problem on my nexus 7. It’s so annoying! Hope they fixed this very soon.
http://twitter.com/LiiIiikEaBau5 LiiIiikEaBau5

My Nexus 4 have WIFI issue and im writing this from Norway!
Marc

I own a Nexus 7 and I’m not experiencing any issues with Wi-Fi, besides when using the gMail application. It drops connection and re-connects some of the times when I refresh the app to check up on my new mail.
http://twitter.com/danmcsw danmcsw

I’ve a Nexus 7 32GB, running 4.2.1 and experience no problems with the Wi-Fi.
Junior Rosario

Nexus 4 here…..no issues at all!!!
G

Nexus 7, I get this problem every now and then.
louis kurian

I guess its the WiFi router that disconnects nexus device after a specified period of inactivity (no data transfer happens for a specific amount of time, set in router settings)
http://www.facebook.com/jeff.langerii Jeff Langer II

Nex 7 no probs here as long as crapy At&t doesn’t go out.
hanktam

Nexus 4 here. I’ve been thinking it’s a router specific issue. Wifi connection problems at work (2wire), but not at home (belkin).
Gary

If Google care about their customers they have a funny way of showing it that’s for sure.
callum

my nexus 4 wifi does not work round my house the connection just times out but when i go round someone else s house it works perfectly
Irelandman

Nexus 4 sold it to my mate, couldn’t deal with the WiFi issues, completely sick of it, I may buy another N4 when they fix the problem. (if they bother to fix it before Key lime 5 comes out)
Baz

Nexus 7 out of box running 4.2 and it always drops very dissapointed
Sadi

Sorry but some ppl are so lazy that they can’t just do a Wifi off – on …. rather they wanna give up with the device ^^ – hilarious
- Tomi Golob
  
  That is the dumbest defence I ever heard… Lazy people who pretend their device works as it should ,right?
http://www.facebook.com/PradeepVizz Pradeep Viswanathan R

To all those having problems with the WiFi, i would suggest to please play with the router settings and try your luck.
- Rabid Rotty
  
  Why would I do that when my laptop, my nexus one and nexus s do not have those issues, only my GNex and N7 both with 4.2.1
  - http://www.facebook.com/PradeepVizz Pradeep Viswanathan R
    
    if you wanted a solution to your problem you would ! that way you keep your N7 working rather than throwing it into the bin
  - PleasantDrive
    
    I had a similar problem with another device. Everything else worked fine, but the tablet would not stay connected. After a month of getting no help whatsoever and finally giving up on the “Why should I do that when my laptops, phones, and other tablet do not have those issues” approach, I spent 5 minutes resetting my router to factory default and adding the security. All has been fine ever since. That’s why.
    - Rabid Rotty
      
      Thank you PD, but as of this Friday I am ending my relationship with Google and everything that is associated with Google. Not because of this issue, but because of a combination of things, one that came to a head this evening. As of Friday my Google Accounts and all my Nexus devices will beeactivatedand returned to Mountianview. I do not know what my alternative may be, I hate Apple, and dislike Winows 8. I mayh hav to get a dumb phone and wait for UUbunto to release their phone, or just go off grid comletly.., who knos.
      - Tomi Golob
        
        That would be an unfortunate overreaction on your part. Well,good luck with WP8 …because LUCK is what you sorely need if you’ll go down that road.
- Tomi Golob
  
  Captain Obvious to the rescue
Matt

I have been having the same problem, I thought it was just me. I have to constantly shutdown the phone. Turing the wifi off and on does not fix the problem for me, and often times when I turn off the wifi, it won’t turn back on.

It seems to only happen at work where I go between 9 apple airports. Pretty much everyday.
http://twitter.com/jdrch jdrch

This happens occasionally on my VZW Galaxy Nexus too.
Alwin

Nexus 7. Exact same problem. During normal use. I think switching apps even triggers it. Got a netgear wndr3700 router.
- Alwin
  
  Now that was funny : I closed dolphin and dripper, immediately opened Facebook and I lost the connection. Within 1 minute after sending message.
L

Maybe the same issue as 2.3.6 wifi dropping. many threads on google about it. problem solved buy changing the disconnect setting on the router to two weeks instead of leabing it at the default never disconnect
rvichar

I can confirm that I have WiFi bugs on my nexus 4 on an otherwise flawless device.
Nick

No wi-fi issues here…but plenty of GPS issues, with it constantly dropping the gps signal
holydookieitsj

I have the issue on my Nexus 7. I use my tablet a lot, and it occurs 3-4 times a day. it is extremely flustrating. i have other devices on wifi which do not experience any similar issues so it is clealry the Nexus. I fully understand turning in the device for the issue. the fact is, there are other tablets that dont have the problem, so why should we have to near through it especially since Google will not respond on the issue. although the pricepoint is relatively good, why spend that kind of money on anything flustrating?
As amazing i think this device might be otherwise i will never recommend it to others until the wifi and bluetooth issues are resolved (bluetooth headsets drop sound for 1-2 seconds approx every 30 sec or so).
Scott

Nexus 7, constantly dropping WiFi while browsing..as in less than two minutes between drops. Have to turn WiFi off and back on to get it to reconnect. Other than that, the device is a gem, but if they can’t get a fix out soon I will have to return it…just not useful without a connection (it is basically an e-reader now…and even my first gen Kindle still connects to a network dependably).
robrooter

Seen this in stock code. Not as much in cm 10.1. Funny thing I thought when reading this….we are the beta testers with Google powered devices like the nexus. No wonder they are so slow to update 2nd party devices like Samsung, or HTC. If it too broke for us than they can not roll out an update till it fixed inside the nexus circle. No wonder my gs2 updates are so slow ;-)
Rabid Rotty

GNex and N7 when in sleep mode both loose wifi. wifi sleep policy is set to never turn off. Also when using wifi will drop on both devices. Not only on my cisci router but on any that I am connected to.
Mark

Owner of a Nexus 7, for a few weeks now. Experienced connection issues after a week of running fine, and tried everything I could find online to fix it. No avail. I called Google, and the last option they provided was to do a system reset. So I lost everything I had downloaded on to it, but it worked. A week and a half later, it’s doing it again. This thing is a piece of junk.
Chris Carter

Both Nexus 4 and 7, no WiFi issues at all.
Vhvgy

Poor article, dump this Writer.
jade

I get it happening on my nexus 7 too :( otherwise perfect but hafta go into air plane mode and out a few times a day to kick it back into working
http://twitter.com/trlovejoy trlovejoy

My 7 drops wi fi at home but is solid as a rock at work. i always assumed it was my home router that was the issue (and still do). I toggle airplane mode and comes right back. But that’s only at home. Never an issue at work.
Jstett

My third Nexus 7 is working like a charm. No problem with support and prompt delivery of the replacement units. Interesting that the support staff is unable or unwilling to discuss the specific problems.
Olly

My Nexus 10 is constantly dropping out of wi fi connection and freezing while every other device we have connects fine without issue. I will NEVER buy another Android device again; their lack of acknowledgement is a total insult.
Ciaran

Yes my Nexus 7 has this problem. I’ve tried everything, disabling NFC etc etc assigning a static IP address, nothing works. The wifi only disconnects when we have several devices connected, and someone starts using the Nexus. As we say in Ireland, a hape of shite.
Ali

My friend and I both bought N4. Wifi and bluetooth cannot work together. One should be off for the second to work. We both got replacement but same issue. Google support suks
For
Ali

Btw, I got the 4.2.2 update and still, wifi and bt do not work when both are on
- Rob Mickus
  
  Same here. Loses Wifi gotta turn off / on to restore. Problem is the handset does not know wifi is down, so 4g goes to sleep. So no data at all.. Tmobile
  - James Moir
    
    I finally found a fix for this.
    
    Under the Advanced Wi-Fi Settings there is an option “Keep Wi-Fi on during sleep”. You need to select the option “Always”.
    
    I believe the Nexus 4 thinks that it is going into sleep mode (when it shouldn’t) and the Wi-Fi is being turned off/disabled.
    
    Obviously this option can drain your battery faster, therefore it is a good idea to install an App such as JuiceDefender which is a lot more capable at managing Wifi and battery, etc..
James Moir

I finally found a fix for this.

Under the Advanced Wi-Fi Settings there is an option “Keep Wi-Fi on during sleep”. You need to select the option “Always”.

I believe the Nexus 4 thinks that it is going into sleep mode (when it shouldn’t) and the Wi-Fi is being turned off/disabled.
Donal Gavin

Nexus 4 here. Just had the issue last couple of days. didnt take notice until today. Just couldnt connect to the wifi. was like my router wasnt there. was picking up other wifis but mine would drop in and out. Restart the phone fixed it for now.Really annoying bug
streamer man

Nexus 7 and 4.2.2. Updated a week ago and since then realtime video streaming hasn’t been working properly. For a minute or two it streams ok, then there starts to be hickups. In less than 5 minutes the device stops to receive stream. Before updating, the real time streaming worked on this device without issues for 3 months.
Mona Holzinger

Nexus 7 owner; returned home after using wifi at different locations and cannot connect to my router at home. So Frustrated.
http://www.facebook.com/doanorbrucetran Bruce Wonder

Nexus 4 here with issues every now and then.
http://www.facebook.com/tsnikhil Nikhil Turaga

YES I AM FACING ISSUES WITH MY NEXUS 4… IT BRAND NEW got it on 25th march 2013. AND IT HAS DETECTED THE WIFI ROUTER BUT DOES NOT CONNECT TO IT.. Goes on saying “obtaining IP address”. thats all. the OS is Jelly Bean 4.2.1…
Nik

YES I AM FACING ISSUES WITH MY NEXUS 4… IT BRAND NEW. AND IT HAS
DETECTED THE WIFI ROUTER BUT DOES NOT CONNECT TO IT.. Goes on saying
obtaining IP address. thats all. The OS is Jelly Bean 4.2.1.
http://twitter.com/PolitickGA PolitickGA

Just started having this issue with my nexus 4 and my mothers galaxy nexus about 2 days ago.
Lynne

I have a Nexus 4 and experience WIFI difficulties every single day.
sabrina

I’m having w-fi connection problems with my nexus 4, all I am presented with is ‘authentication problem’. I purchased the nexus 4 on Thursday and have been having problems since then, how do I fix this because I practically cannot use the phone without it?
http://www.bitdefender.com/br Felipe Mafra

My Nexus 4 has painfully slow WiFi since day one. Already sent one device to RMA thinking it was a hardware problem but the new phone has the same issue.

I’ve been following this thread since I got the phone in January, and had I known Google support was so ridiculously slow I’d have never bought a Nexus 4. Now it’s been months I’m with this brick in my hand that can’t even play a single YouTube video without buffering a million times. I have tried every single possible fix listed on the internet and nothing works. On the other hand, my iPhone 4S, laptop and Galaxy S are connecting with full speed always, no hiccups at all.

And just to make things better, I had to wait 2 months after my purchase in November to receive the Nexus 4. NOT WORTH THE WAIT!

I’ve been waiting too long for this fix. I give up.
Barrie Graham

yes, intermittent problem with Nexus 7 dropping wifi – need to go to Settings > Wifi > Scan, it then finds the signal again, but keeps dropping it frequently, even though the device has not gone to sleep! Very frustrating and needs a fix (presumably Nexus software/firmware?) anyone got a fix? I’m using an Apple Airport Extreme for my router.
sjeggy

I have to be in a 2 meter radius of my router in order to have ”proper” internet (3 stripes) please help
Shahriar Farkhan

I posted this on the Google Thread wondering if anyone’s listening…. Sigh

Nexus 7 16GB – just replaced by Google for the screen separation issue so it’s brand new.

OS: 4.2.2

The wifi says it’s connected (blue) but the internet is non responsive and the wifi indicator has an arrow that is constant. Restarting the router only has a temporary effect. Restarting the tablet has a temporary effect. I’ve wiped and reset the tablet with no effect.

I have 6 devices on my router and none experience this kind of issue. Furthermore, this issue is replicated in the wild on other people’s Wifi. I’ve given the device its own IP address on the router to make sure it’s not an IP issue and I’ve turned off NFC. Nothing has helped and I’m using it less and less…

*frustrated rant*

Coming from owning Apple devices and wanting to switch – The last device with this many issues was my iphone 3G, 4 years ago… I want to switch to Android but the issues this thing has had (I’ve had 3 Nexus 7s, 2 replaced by Google Warranty because of issues) since I bought it in August 2012 have made it a bad experience. Google is tight lipped as Apple when it comes to these issues. My last iPhone, iPad, and current 5 have minor issues compared to this.

Wifi is a primary function of this tablet! As my friends ask me about my experiences with Android, I will be telling them of this, sadly – It’s the second Android device and each time I’ve been quite unhappy :(

I was looking forward to the Nexus 7^2 but I’ll probably purchase an iPad mini because of the continuing issues – I feel like a beta tester

*end rant*
Walter

I have a Galaxy Nexus with 4.2.1 and Samsung won’t aknoledge that I have Jelly Bean. I intermittently have both the wifi and 4g or 3g grey out. It is so frustrating especially when I am using iheart radio.. it is sprint service
http://www.facebook.com/gheorghe.alex.18 Alex Gheorghe

My Nexus 4 16 GB 4.2.2has this problem, it happens only when I`m connected to my home wireless. It`s not ok because my laptop is working, galaxy nexus, htc one s, one x , 8s and other phones like LG L5, L7 were working on my home wi-fi network. Google should release 4.2.3 or 4.3 very quickly
TwoLiveCrew

Old News, but the problem is still there. Got my Nexus 4 a week ago and can’t connect to my wifi. Sad to see that it’s still not fixed.

But that’s not the only problem I have with that device:

- Random shut downs. If there’s no computer around I have no way of getting it back on
- Sometimes a dialogue appears (sorry, dont know the exact English equivalent) with two options: report and ok. But whichever one I choose, the dialogue won’t disappear. Basically, if that happens, I can to nothing with my phone. After a couple of hours (!!!), after hitting OK or report like a million times, it will disappear, but there is no way of telling what causes it to appear or disappear.

Overall I am not impressed. Will try to return it and get my money back. If you ask me it’s a POS device.
FedUp

My Nexus 4 will not automatically reconnect to my wireless network after it has been out of range. You have to turn off the wifi on the phone and turn it back on and then it connects automatically. It will however reconnect automatically if i have been connected to a different wifi network in the meantime.
maax

Nexus 4 here, about one month old. And I have this problem when i turn screen-off that I won’t get any messages (like whatsapp) untill i turn it on! Annoying!
SkidmarkD

Got the Nexus 7 32GB in January. After struggling to get it to connect with my WiFi, it worked like a beast. Have had absolutely no issues with it whatsoever. Updated to 4.2.2 about 2 weeks ago, constantly dropping the WiFi now. So far while typing this it dropped twice. Seeing that just about every app I use requires a stable active internet connection, this Nexus 7 will soon be demoted to paperweight. Gonna search for the good old 4.2.1 again. Cause that worked rather well.
angrybird

Yes.. My nexus 7.. Got the same line drop issue.. Reset a few times.. Now running jb 4.2.2
Digid

Samsung Galaxy S4 – netgear wireless AP 2.4ghz spectrum also dropping and wont authenticate? Old Galaxy S3 with android 4.1 still working perfectly?
Zack

Nexus 7…yepp WiFi drops and bad connection unless in same room as router, and WiFi still drops sometimes
- Zack
  
  Droid 4.2.2 btw
Tony

Nexus 4, cannot connect to wifi with long (63 chars) WPA password. Short password (10 chars) works. Nexus 7 on the same network does connect with the 63 char password. Help!